Module 7 Western Expansion and Civilization

1. What was The Great Dying? Cite examples and details from the historical record in your response. Could this be considered a genocide? Why/ why not?

The Great Dying is the significance of lives that were decimated when the European

Acquisition came in contact with the native American peoples. During the pre Columbian era, the population was estimated at 60 -80 million people in Mesoamerica and the Andean zones which were dominated by the Aztec and the Inca empires. They were isolated from Afro-Eurasian peoples, and they did not have any domesticated animals. Because of these two factors, they did not acquire immunity to the “Old World” diseases such as smallpox, measles, typhus, influenza, malaria and then yellow fever (p.558). It is said that almost 90% of those people perished, so I would consider this a genocide; not only they succumbed to those diseases but they also died of starvation. Similar scenario happened in Dutch and British territory in North America as a Dutch observed in 1656. The Indians assured him they were ten times more before the Christian came, and only one out of ten had survived the smallpox.. Governor Bradford of Plymouth had stated that those conditions represented the “good hand of God''... he further added “sweeping away great numbers of the natives...that he might make room for us”(p.559). It took over 100 years for native  population to start to recuperate. 

 

2.What did native Siberians and native Americans have in common in terms of their experiences with Europeans during the early Modern period?

They both had in common the fur trade. Fur was a very hot commodity during the early modern times, as well as silver, textiles and spices as part of global commerce. These types of production had a great impact in the environment where they were consumed and produced. Fur had long provided warmth and it had a status symbol in colder regions of the world, so the North America and northern Asia -Siberia integration had a significant effect. In the 1500’s, European population grew, but their agricultural expansion decreased, causing the supply of fur-bearing animals such as beaver, rabbits, sable, marten and deer to diminish. In addition to that, during that time temperature decreased, and it was called the Little Ice Age; this also had a great effect on the demand for furs. Because of high demand, and short supplies for fur, the price skyrocketed, and the cost of beaver pelt quadrupled in France between 1558 and 1611. These incentives prompted the Europeans traders to tap into this great North American resource where their fur bearing animals was plentiful.This was due to the decrease of the Native American populations caused by the Great Dying which led to the regrowth of forest habitat for this fur bearing animals and deer herds (p. 616). The native Siberians had in common with the native Americans people they had also been conquered by a big empire, fur, and religious justification. Russian saw a great opportunity not only to expand their territory but to take advantage of the “soft gold” - fur-bearing animals which were in great demand in the world market (p.573). Russian also justified their expansion by saying they brought Christianity, civilization, and enlightenment to savages.

 

3. Discuss the history and impact of the Indian Ocean trade network (the Sea Roads) from the Classical to Modern periods.

During much of the time of the Classical period, a very important trade network called the Silk and Sea Road created an enormous network of commerce exchange in the Afro-Eurasian world until the 15th century (p.530); this was due largely to the large ships that could easily transport bulk goods. Then, during the modern period, European empires found out how to get from South America to China. This opened up opportunities to expand their trade through a less difficult route across the Pacific Ocean. Before this happened, Christopher Columbus had to stop in the Caribbean, and open up the Atlantic Ocean trade as well.

 

4. Look at the pie chart titled “The Destinations of Slaves” on page 627 of our textbook. What might people find surprising about the percentages of slaves who disembarked in different parts of the Americas? What factors explain why the percentages were this way?

The percentage of slaves reflects the level of need and industries of slaves those countries had; for instance, because the Caribbean and Brazil had great demand due to the economy of the plantations, their demand was higher. Whereas, smaller numbers are noted in North America, Spanish America -inland, and Europe itself as their demand was not as high.

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5. What does Strayer mean by the “echoes of Atlantic Revolutions”? Cite examples and details from the historical record in your response. Are the Atlantic Revolutions still echoing in the 21stCentury?

Strayer means by the “echoes of Atlantic Revolutions” the impact the revolution felt immediately in Western and even Eastern Europe countries. This impact  reflects ideas of “republicanism, greater social equality, and national liberation from foreign rule.” 

These ideas pushed social pressure and had great effect on Western Europe, the United States, and Argentina to allow public voting rights, universal male suffrage by 1914 (p.714). It also attempted to establish a constitutional regime in Russia in 1825. The American and French revolution gained the sympathy of the elite in Central Europe and other parts of the world, and they felt they were falling behind. As a consequence of the “Echos of Atlantic Revolutions” three major movements originated to break away patterns of oppression or exclusion: The abolition of slavery, national and nationalism, and Feminist Beginnings. They are still echoing in the 21st. century.

 

6.What did feminists and abolitionists have in common? How and why did they sometimes work together?

The Atlantic revolution had a great impact on both feminists and abolitionists and changed them forever. The feminist movement attached patriarchal practices- older than slavery - based in the concept that women were subordinate to man, and it had its roots in agriculture revolution before the first civilization. The enlightenment strongly attacked these traditional concepts, and promoted gender equality. In fact, the enlightenment movement questioned the tradition and promotion of liberty and rationality social arrangements, which are the same political secular moments that attacked slavery.These movements were transatlantic from the beginning.

 

7. What was the Industrial Revolution? Where and when did it begin? Discuss its long-term significance to people, cities and the planet.

Per Strayer’s, the industrial revolution marks a human response to the dilemma as nonrenewable fossil fuels such as coals, oil and natural gas replaced the endlessly renewable energy sources of wind, water, wood and the muscle power of people (p.738). Some of the countries that sustained this industry was from the Islands of Peru - guano or seabird excrement used as fertilizer, mineral sources of nitrates and phosphates in South America and Pacific Oceania. As well as Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It began in Britain 1750 - 1900’s. Yet the long term effects are considered of unprecedented and global proportions. This revolution not only has affected human kind, but also the planet. In fact, scientists call it the Anthropocene or the “age of man”. Human industry has left a tremendous mark not only on our society, but also on the ecological, atmospheric, and geological history of earth. The long term effects on people: thanks to the Industrial revolution, new technologies and scientific advances have made the modern society's lifestyle easier, and some cases very prosperous.  In regards to the effects in the environment, they have been very negative. Many rivers and lakes have been heavily polluted and global warming is a reality along with possible worldwide pandemics.

 

8. European Racial Images (p.791)

I chose European Racial Images because it depicts the famous theory of social Darwinism which was very popular during the industrialized society in Europe. Strayer states “European viewed the cultural and achievement of Asian and African peoples through the prism of a new kind of racism, expressed now in terms of modern science” (p.791). In fact, the concept of “survival of the fittests” justifies racism, and it implies that the white race is of superior intelligence. The manner in which Strayer explained it is that “European dominance inevitably involved the displacement or destruction of backward people or “unfit” races as part of this theory. Uses and abuses of this theory are still used in White supremacist groups to justify their way of thinking. Ironically, Darwin did not have any reason to cast the theory of evolution into this human society. Strayer chose to include these specific images because they reflected the way of European perceived themselves and others during that time.